Flood sacks Warri residents

Residents of some parts of Warri, Delta State, yesterday were devastated as flood took over their homes and streets, following a midnight downpour.

Places like Etuwewe, Walter Odeli Road, a larger part of the Third Marine Gate Road, to Gbiaye Street, all within Marine Estate, were sacked by the flood, trapping some residents indoors.

Many worshippers waded through water to reach their destinations.

Also, the situation made most parts of the estate no-go areas for tricycles, the only means of public transportation through that part.

A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said the situation was worsened by the fact that the drainages were blocked and not channelled into any canal.

“This flood you are seeing here came from the midnight rain.

“There was no flood yesterday, in fact, there was no rain for like two days and everywhere was dry, except for places where the road is bad, such as Odeli Road.

“The problem here is lack of drainages, the ones you see here are all blocked and even if they had been free, they lead to nowhere,” he said.

Commissioner for Environment Frank Omare could not be reached for comments.

Commissioner for Information Chike Ogeah said the government would sort out the situation after the rainy season.

“I know I’ve taken this thing up with Oga, especially in Warri, we’ve had a lot of complaints, especially on roads.

“What I know the governor said at that time was that the rains are the cause of the problem.

“They are the cause of the delays in the construction of the roads and drainages.

“Not only in Warri, but also in Asaba, go to the Okpanam Road axis, you will see the major problem there, but the governor is working on all those things.

“I think it’s this climate change that is the major problem; at least before we used to have what they call August break, but you see how the rain has just been going on and on.

“So the best thing is just to wait, let the rains stop then we’ll continue and that’s why we’ve been talking about finishing strong, we understand that by the last quarter of the year, we will be able to do more construction,” Ogeah said.